Extend Your Trip

Conference attendees may wish to consider extending their stay in Australia by travelling before or after CAA2013. 

Western Australia is vast and diverse -from desert to forest, endless beach to endless bush- and offers unique pre and post touring options. It is an ancient land of rugged ranges, mighty rivers, spectacular waterfalls and pristine beaches framing turquoise waters; a land of extraordinary contrast and colour, rich in history, ancient art and breathtaking scenery. A place of endless blue skies, where adventure abounds and tides and sunsets measure time.

Boasting a diverse array of quality venues and accommodation, unique offsite options and professional support services, the region offers a wide variety of day tours, extended luxury cruises and adventure safaris to suit even the most demanding itinerary.

Below are some sample itineraries for possible Western Australian activities before or after your conference visit.

Please note that the following are just suggestions for self arranged tours and are not to be confused with the pre and post conference tours arranged by the Conference organisers.

The Experience Perth and Tourism Western Australia websites are full of information regarding tourist attractions and activities. 

www.experienceperth.com

www.showmeperth.com.au

www.helloperth.com.au

www.westernaustralia.com

Perth: Overview and Sample Itineraries

The following information provides a sample of activities and tourist destinations in and around Perth. Perth offers multiple attractions within the city itself and its surrounds.

Seeing the sites – popular attractions in the city of Perth

- The Perth Mint, a popular tourist attraction;
- The Perth Concert Hall, where tours are taken backstage to see where some of the greats have performed;
- The Swan River;
- The Perth Swan Bell Tower, a famous historic and iconic attraction;
- Government House and Stirling Gardens, the residence and gardens built for the Swan River Colony’s founder, Captain James Stirling;
- The Old Court House Law Museum, giving historical insight to the courts of colonial Perth;
- Kings Park, one of the largest inner city parks in the world, featuring more than 400 hectares of natural bush and manicured gardens.

Outdoor Activities in and around Perth

- Some companies offer high speed jet boat rides, while others offer sailing; both on the Swan River;
- Golfing, Perth has several venues from resort courses to public greens
- The Quarry Amphitheatre, a private location surrounded by natural bush land, with views east to the city skyline and Darling Ranges
- Cottesloe Beach scenic drive gives views of Perth’s Indian Ocean coastline.
- The Sunset Coast, 20 minutes west of the city, provides opportunities for swimming, surfing, snorkelling and several beachside cafés.

Swan Valley Activities

- The Swan Valley is Western Australia’s oldest wine growing region and just 30 minutes from the Perth CBD. The Swan Valley region has over 150 places to eat and drink including a chocolate company, nougat factory and micro breweries.
- Tours can be taken through some working wineries and barrel rooms.
- The region is known for fresh local produce, local artisans and galleries for visiting and to pick up souvenirs.
- Caversham Wildlife Park houses one of the largest collections of native fauna in Australia including cassowaries, dingoes and flying foxes.

Rottnest Island

- The Rottnest ferry can take passengers to Rottnest Island, where activities include snorkeling to see fish, coral and shipwrecks at Parker Point;
- Visit the Wadejump lighthouse by either bus or bike.

Mandurah

- Mandurah is a regional city situated by the Indian Ocean and the Peel-Harvey Estuary. Located just 70km south of Perth Mandurah is within a one hour drive of Perth or a 48 minute train ride from Perth’s CBD. Mandurah is known for its waterways and outdoor lifestyle;
- Popular outdoor activities include a cruise on the estuary, fishing, swimming and dolphin spotting;
- Mandurah is known for its local seafood and waterside restaurants;
- Dolphin encounters are a popular tourist activity on the way to Mandurah, where guides provide the expertise and knowledge to be able to swim with wild dolphins;
- Glass bottom boat trips can also be made to Penguin Island, an island abundant in wildlife and home to Western Australia's largest colony of Little Penguins (the smallest penguins in the world). Approximately 600 pairs nest on the island but spend most of their day feeding in the waters of the marine park.

The South West: Overview and Sample Itineraries

From towering forests to whale watching, fine food and wine to world-class surfing, Australia’s South West offers some of the most varied travel experiences in Western Australia. Margaret River’s outstanding wines have put it on the international map, and the area is popular all year round for forest hiking, exploring underground caves, and sampling the divine local produce in the town’s superb restaurants. 

The Margaret River Region

Accommodation selection is broad, including meetings spaces and unique venues, with plenty of natural attractions.

- Some vineyards offer wine master classes where patrons can sample notable grape varieties including Cabernet, Merlot, Shiraz, Chardonnay, Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc are produced in the region.
- Ocean view dining is available throughout the area.
- Walks offering coastal scenery can be taken on the Cape to Cape track 
- Caves along the limestone ridge of the Leeuwin Naturaliste National Park are  mostly open to the public.  The caves of Ngilgi, Mammoth, Lake and Jewel are recognised internationally for their beauty and pristine condition. 
- Abseilling is available at 40 Brides Cave into the ‘Great Hall’, (only accessible by rope)
- The Munda Biddi trail is in this area, listed in National Geographic’s Top 10 Cycle Routes of the World. The region caters for both causal riders and serious mountain bikers.
- Tailored rally driving courses are also available along the same routes undertaken by the Rally Australia Drivers.
- Surfing experiences are on offer for novices to the more experienced surfer. Margaret River is home to annual surf competitions including the Margaret River Pro held in March. 
-Guided snorkeling and diving is a popular activity in the Indian Ocean and the Southern Ocean. Patrons can explore marine life and soft corals and sponges, or the numerous shipwrecks such as the HMAS Swan off Dunsborough.
- Activities on the river such as canoeing, paddling, kayaking and riding white water rapids on a raft are available at varying times according to the season. 

 

The North West: Overview and Sample Itineraries

In the top end of Western Australia lies a place like no other on earth - a vast wilderness of unsurpassed beauty, Australia’s North West. Spanning more than 900,000 square kilometres, encompassing the Kimberley and Pilbara sub regions, Australia’s North West is truly one of the world’s last frontiers. Australia’s North West stretches from Onslow in the south to Kununurra in the northeast, an area six times larger than the United Kingdom. This pristine destination is just two hours flight from Perth.
Australia’s North West is also home to the exotic seaside town of Broome forming the southern gateway to this region.

Broome and the Kimberly Desert

- Highlights of Australia’s North West include Cable Beach, the Bungle Bungle Ranges, Karijini National Park, the rugged Gibb River Road and Lake Argyle.
- Broome is famous for its pearling industry. Pearl Farms offer tours where you can be given a demonstration of how the seeds are planted into the live oyster shell.
- Short cruises are available along Willie Creek.
- Outdoor dining is available in the Chinatown area, where patrons can dine near historic pearling vessels as classic historic pearling movies are projected onto the sails, and with entertainment provided by Broome’s very own Pigram Brothers.
- Scenic flights can be taken over the Buccaneer Archipelago. Flights stop at Cape Leveque for swimming and then continue onto the Horizontal Waterfalls, the islands of the Buccaneer Archipelago, the pearl farms in Talbot Bay and the open cut mines at Cockatoo and Koolan Islands.

The Coral Coast

Explore the unique rock formations of the Pinnacles within the Nambung National Park, see the dolphins of Monkey Mia, or travel to Exmouth, home of the internationally renowned Ningaloo Reef where you can swim with whale sharks and manta rays.

The Golden Outback

Opportunity for multiple ‘Goldrush’ tours around mining towns and settlements built by pioneers are found in the Golden outback. Visit the Super Pit in Kalgoorlie, one of the largest open-pit mines in the southern hemisphere, explore old mine shafts or try your hand at gold-panning. Visit the numerous heritage buildings, friendly pubs and hospitable farm-stays. In contrast, the rugged coastline and islands around Esperance offer multiple eco-experiences.